Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density sufficient to cause an increase risk of fracture. Osteoporosis is very common, its prevalence increase with age especially in post menopausal women……

SOME KEY FACTOR ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS
• Osteoporosis causes 150,000 fracture annually
• Severe Osteoporosis is present in 20% of women between 65 and 75 years of age.
• The incidence of vertebral fracture in women increase markedly from the age of 50 years.
• The incidence of femoral neck fracture increase after the age of 60 years , more markedly in women then in men.
• About one fifth of women will have a hip fracture.
• The life time risk of fracture for a 50 years old women is about three times more than for a man of a same age.
Who’s at risk ??
There are many factor that determine who will develop osteoporosis .The risk factor are ..
• Age: The older you are , the greater your risk of osteoporosis, your bone become weaker and less dense with your age.
• Gender: Your chance of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a women. Women have less bone tissue and loss bone more rapidly then men, because of charges involved in menopause.
• Family History And Personal History Of Fracture: Young women whose mothers have a history of vertebral fracture also seem to vertebral reduced bone mass .A personal history of fracture as an adult also increase your fracture risk.
• Race: Caesarian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis.
• Bone Structure And Body Weight: Small bond and thin (under 127 pounds) are at greater risk of osteoporosis.
MENOPAUSE / MENSTRUAL HISTORY
• Normal or early menopause (brought about naturally or because of surgery)increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition , women who stop menstruating before menopause because of condition such as anorexia or because of excessive physical exercise may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis.

LIFE STYLE:
• Current cigarette smoking, drinking too much alcohol consuming inadequate amount of calcium, increase your chance of developing osteoporosis.



MEDICATION / CHRONIC DISEASES:
• A Significant and often overlooked risked factor in development of osteoporosis in the use of certain medication to treat chronic medical conditions. Medications to treat disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis ,endocrine disorder (I.e. an under active thyroid) and gastrointestinal diseases may have side effects that can damage bone and lead to osteoporosis.
OSTEOPOROSIS CAN BE CLASSFIED INTO TWO CATEGORIES
• Primary / Idiopathic
• Secondary
• Associated with nutritional deficiency
• Endocrine related
• Immobility
• Drug induced
Typically Osteoporosis patients have advanced skeletal fragility, loss of weight, spinal deformity, back pain , weight is an early sign of the problem.

DIAGNOSIS:
Osteoporosis is often diagnosed by the following three method.
1. X-Ray: This process is used in case of back fracture and hip fracture. In X-Ray these bones look different from normal bones.
2. Ultra Sound –B.M.D: This process is, b done by a machine , using heal, but treatment cannot be started on result on BMD only.
3. Dxasan: The strength of bones can be determine with the help of this test.


PREVENTION AND TREATMENT:
• In regulatory term (prevention usually refers to preventing bone loss and treatment refers to decreasing fracture risk. There is evidence to show significant reduction in fracture rate in osteoporosis women after on year’s treatment. There is also evidence that the greatest fracture reduction may be achieve in women with lower bone density.
Today medical science has discovered new medicines help in normal development of bones .For the treatment of Osteoporosis these medicines are available in the form of tablet injection and inhalers.
Some Suggestion to Prevent From Osteoporosis
• Get your daily recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D.
• Engage in regular weight bearing exercise.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
• A person should use milk ,card ,custard and cheese for getting large amount of calcium.
• Avoid excess use of coffee and cold drink.
• A person should use bread, rise and vegetables.
• Have a bone density test and take medication when approved.
Make your Home Fall Proof:
• If you are an osteoporosis suffer , you’ll know the fear of falling and accidentally breaking a bone. Here are few tips that’s might help reduce the risk.
• Avoid telling cluster build up in passage ways and entrance area , so you don’t trip on things.
• Use flat, non skid rugs on the floor to avoid slipping.
• Use non skid rugs and avoid highly published floor which are easy to slip on.
Recommended Calcium Intakes
Age Amount mg / day

Birth – 6 month 210
6 month-1 year 270
1-3 500
4-8 800
9-13 1300
19-30 1000
31-50 1000
51-70 1200
70 or older 1200
Pregnant and Lactating 1000




By Mahrukh Zuberi..
Karachi..